ESOCS Devotional 2 May 2024 – The Supremacy of Jesus’ Authority
MEMORY VERSE: “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him’” Mark 1:27 KJV
TEXT: MARK 1:21-28
Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
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Although Jesus was also fully human, Mark’s writing portrayed Him as a man of intense power and super action. He was fully human in the sense that He experienced all human emotions as other men. He also had physiological and psychological needs, such as hunger and human relationships. But He was constantly on the go, beyond the capacity of ordinary human persons.
On this very occasion, He taught the people as one having extraordinary authority. He spoke with the impression that what He said originated from Him, and not from any certified human authority (Matthew 7:28-29). Of course, as the Son of God, He came to authoritatively deliver God’s word to mankind (John 12:48-49). In other words, He did not speak by depending on the traditional interpretations of human authorities (Mark 7: 1-9). It was not also His style or practice to quote from others in order to lend credence to His statements.
More so, Jesus was not just a normal teacher of the word. He spoke and taught with such super-power authority that the demon-possessed were set free. In this instance, one of the demons could speak through the individual in whom he dwelt. In the demon’s utterance, he recognized and confessed the deity of Jesus. The demon also confessed his eternal destiny in the pit of hell (Matthew 8:29; 25:41).
Our grand understanding here is that Jesus had authority over all knowledge and teachings. He also had complete control over the being and activities of demons. Such was also the case with the apostles and disciples, following the event of Pentecost (Acts 16:16-18). To the Jews, Jesus’ work or act of casting out demons was a form of new teaching or doctrine. However, whether new or old, what is your status as a modern-day disciple of Jesus Christ? Does your ministration come with such divine power, as that of the Lord and the early apostolic fathers? It’s time to review your standing for a more effective ministry.
- Jesus taught them as one with authority, not as the scribes. What is your standing?
- Lord Jesus, empower me with your grace, Amen.
Further Reading: Exodus 3: 1-12; Ezekiel 1:1-14; Acts 12: 25-13, 13
ESOCS Devotional 2 May 2024
